In 2010 Caribbean Export in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) launched the modular programme ProNET.

Originally geared towards manufacturing enterprises who want to develop their business and become more competitive, with nine modules in business strategy, quality management, production,  product development, knowledge management, human resource management and financial management, the ProNET programme has since been expanded with a new module focused on energy management and renewable energy.

The programme is based on an Experiential Learning Methodology, and is a case study based and driven by practical examples and assignments using techniques such as group work and structured learning exercises, open-ended discussion, brainstorming sessions and field work.

We are now looking to review the course and update it according to your needs.

If you’ve participated in a ProNET course your input is very important to us and invite you to complete this survey.

We appreciate your time and your feedback!

Suriname – located in the north-eastern coast of South America, is one of the fifteen countries that make up CARIFORUM and has been the location for our executive team this week.

Our Executive Director, Deodat Maharaj together with Damie Sinanan, Manager for Competitiveness and Export Promotion held high-level meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business & International Cooperation – Min. Albert Ramchand Ramdin; the Min. of Finance and Planning – Armand Achibersing and the Minister of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation – Min. Saskia Walden (MBA, CFE) to present the new strategic direction of the Agency and build relations to support private sector development in Suriname.

Caribbean Export, with funding from the European Union has been providing support to Suriname.   Since 2017, some 187 people from Suriname have participated in Caribbean Export activities and over US$147K has been awarded to businesses via our various grant programmes so far.  As we look to build business, transform lives for a stronger Caribbean, investment is a critical requirement to realise our vision.  As such, the facilitation of a Suriname Virtual Investment Summit has been proposed and may well be on the cards soon.

Dr Sinanan also met with several stakeholders on the ground including De Associatie van Surinaamse Fabrikanten (ASFA), Vereniging Surinaams Bedrijfsleven (VSB) and the Suriname Business Development Center in an effort to expand the reach of our interventions with more Surinamese firms in the future.

Caribbean Export continues to work assiduously to strengthen our relationships with key stakeholders and foster new partnerships that can expand our portfolio of services to support private sector development, the transformation of our economies and the creation of jobs for our people.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw has announced millions of dollars in investments in the agricultural sector.

Among them is a US$95-million investment to create a certified organic high-tech greenhouse farm in Goshen, St. Elizabeth, “which will be the largest, by far, in the region”, he said.

He informed that the joint-venture project “will be undertaken on a 200-acre property over a seven-year period, and will specialise in Heritage and Heirloom produce, TOV tomatoes, bell peppers, bush beans, garlic, strawberries, cucumbers, sweet corn, watermelon, and other assortments of fresh produce”.

The Minister was addressing the opening day of the virtual Caribbean AGTECH Investment Summit 2021 (CATIS 2021 on Tuesday (October 5).

He further cited the US$6-million JFVL Agriculture Project, which will deliver fresh fruits and vegetables for the domestic market, including satisfying demand from the tourism sector.

The joint venture equity investment is centred on the establishment of a state-of-the-art fully integrated supply chain operation.

“The project involves the production, warehousing, cold storage, and multi-channel distribution of fresh produce on the domestic market,” the Minister said.

JFVL’s business model involves the engagement of contract farmers to farm a 600-acre property in Hill Run, St. Catherine, under the company’s direct management, Mr. Shaw said, noting that a feasibility study on the project has been completed.

In addition, the Minard Estate Farm in Brown’s Town, St. Ann, will be expanded under a public-private partnership to increase live animals, beef production, semen, and embryo production, and a 500-acre Agro Park will be built in St. Thomas, under joint-venture equity.

“It (agro park) will be a leading global development site for climate-smart agriculture production, resulting in import replacement of highly valued crops for distribution and export,” the Minister said.

The virtual Caribbean AGTECH Investment Summit was organised by the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA), in collaboration with the Caribbean Export Development Agency and its partner, the Caribbean Agribusiness Association (CABA).

The three-day Summit was aimed at promoting the Caribbean as a destination for investment in high-tech agribusiness ventures, with a focus on the production of crops, meat, and seafood, as well as value-added products from the region using smart technologies.

Written by: Garfield L. Angus and originally published by the Jamaica Information Service

Sea moss, also referred to as Irish sea moss, is a type of red seaweed or algae found around the shores of the Caribbean, North America, and Europe.

On several Caribbean islands, sea moss has been used medicinally for centuries, but it has recently become increasingly popular around the world as a so-called superfood because of its various health benefits.

Pure or unrefined sea moss is high in antioxidants, vitamins A, B, C and D and contains zinc, iron, magnesium, potassium, and iodine.

Fast Facts

• 92 of the 102 minerals that make up the body‘s natural mineral composition can be found naturally in sea moss.
• The commercial seaweed market to exceed $92 billion by 2025.
• It is estimated that 56 million metric tonnes will be required per annum as an alternative protein source by 2054 representing 5.94% of global protein demand.

Sea moss is also versatile as it can be made into a jelly and added to all kinds of foods including smoothies, sauces, and soups. It can also be blended with milk, sweeteners, and other ingredients to make a healthy drink. 

Over 25 years ago, Dominican entrepreneur John Robin realised the potential for sea moss when he was studying in Canada for an associates degree in fisheries development.

John started working on a project around seaweed and that’s when he got the idea for his business Benjo’s Seamoss.

He recalls: I realised in the Caribbean that we have lots of people who know about sea moss in the various islands but nobody had commercialised it or made it readily available. My idea was to globalise the production and distribute sea moss around the world.

Seaweed presents tremendous backward linkages for agriculture in Dominica and the Caribbean. Seaweed has around 2,500 different applications so we need to utilise the potential of this product. Beverages is just one aspect.

When John returned to Dominica he set about researching ways to bottle sea moss, extend its shelf life, and build a Caribbean brand on the same level as American soft drinks giant Coca Cola.

He joined with a partner to establish his company and, after overcoming some initial spoilage and product development issues, they created their meal in a bottle concept which touted the nutritional health benefits of sea moss.

John explains: By consuming seaweed on a regular basis, the body can be purged of some of the impurities that we ingest through our food, water, and even the air that we breathe. The minerals in seaweed are also in the right quantities for the body to absorb and use on a daily basis, that’s why there is a global demand for sea moss right now.

Benjo’s Seamoss is made from seaweed that has been cultivated in the Caribbean. It currently comes in eight flavours; original, peanut, oats, linseed, pure, bois band, ginseng and ginger but can be adapted for individual markets.

John says: Once we get the sea moss we store it, wash it, boil and blend it and then mix it with other ingredients. We have a standard and well established formulation. Most people describe our product as the best tasting sea moss in the world.

John characterises his company as one of the most successful projects in the OECS. Benjo’s Seamoss is currently the largest drinks exporter from Dominica with 95% of the product being shipped to 20 countries in the Caribbean and worldwide.

John says the key to growing his company has been consistency along with customer service. We spend a lot of time on market research and continuously listening to the customer, John explains.

We try to determine what the customer needs, we respond to that, and then exceed their expectations. We continue to innovate, introduce new products, and have a professional approach to everything we do.

John is thankful for the support he has received from the Caribbean Export Development Agency, especially in terms of access to regional tradeshows, but wishes there was more emphasis on assisting well-established brands along with start-ups.

He suggests: I really think we need to focus on the movers and shakers in the Caribbean and provide sustainable support in a holistic way rather than a piecemeal offering. Our region has ideas, we have global products, but there is no coordinated strategy to help major exporters and that’s keeping us back.

We have to find ways to create viable, big companies that can impact whole economies by providing employment, generating foreign exchange, and addressing the imbalance of trade in our region.

John has been in business for more than a quarter of a century but he has no intention of slowing down. In fact, he has ambitious plans to advance the reach of Benjo’s Seamoss even further by expanding from a national to a global strategy.

He adds: We want to expand on the operation in Dominica but we also want to do more in different regions in the world. Shipping is expensive so it makes more sense to set up a factory in the US, Asia or Europe.

We want to be a truly global brand.

If you haven’t heard already, Absolutely Caribbean, our first virtual event kicks off next week.  We have more than 50 producers exhibiting over the two days.  From organic beauty products to aged rum, hot pepper sauces and condiments, these are some of the best and most exciting producers from the Caribbean.

The event programme has shaped up nicely and is bursting with interesting sessions that you simply won’t want to miss.  Here are just some of the highlights –

Partners, Original Flava, will show us how versatile Caribbean products are in everyday cooking.  ITC-Alliances for Action will present a review on the main food trends and opportunities for the future.  There will be sessions on plant-based ingredients which have seen a surge in demand in recent years. Another will run through the history of rum, including a selection of some of the best ones available.  You’ll have the opportunity to learn all about trends, business innovation and social inclusion within the coffee market as well as learning all about chocolate as a mass product with the potential to leverage real change within our food system.  What’s more, you will be able to book slots with each and every one of our producers to find out more about their products and how they are made.

Over the last few years, we have seen a growing trend for Caribbean products across Europe which is really exciting and provides great opportunity for our producers.  In 2018 alone, over 26 Billion Euros worth of goods and services were exported globally from Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) and 17.6% of this was to Europe.  If you want to read more about the profit potential of Caribbean products across the UK, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands, make sure you read our report (here).

If you haven’t signed up already, what are you waiting for?

https://expo.absolutelycaribbean.com/whatson.html

See you there!

Health-conscious consumers are driving the increasing demand for natural products and ingredients. Research shows that the global natural food and drinks market was valued at $79.1 million in 2016 and is estimated to reach $191.9 million by 2023 – a compound annual growth rate of 17.6%. The term ‘natural’ has a range of connotations, but all of them are overwhelmingly positive, and signify how invested consumers are in trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

In a 2018 global study, Ipsos asked consumers to interpret the term ‘natural’ and the three most common associations were:

• Healthy.
• No artificial ingredients.
• 100% from nature.

The public gravitates towards natural products because they believe these offer health benefits which cannot be replicated by man-made substances.

Back to nature

The Caribbean is a tropical haven for a range of plant-based ingredients, so it’s no wonder the region is seeing a surge in demand for its natural produce.

This year, Food Matters Live will welcome Caribbean suppliers of natural goods including herbal teas by Caribbean Cure and Shavuot International; the world’s first turmeric paste from Belizean company Naledo and organic chocolate and cocoa based products by Cold Bush Organics from Jamaica’s famous Blue Mountains range, courtesy of the Caribbean Export Development Agency.

These companies and more are actively taking advantage of the Caribbean’s indigenous bounty.

Caribbean Cure, based in Trinidad and Tobago, prides itself on “harnessing the power of nature” in its organic loose leaf teas and tea bags.

Utilising Caribbean herbs, roots, plants and barks which are traditionally known for their unique healing and health properties, Caribbean Cure’s infusions are not only natural but delicious. They contain no preservatives, additives, or artificial flavourings and a special dehydration process ensures customers taste “the maximum amount of wellness in every drop”.

The award-winning company was founded by Stacy Seeterram and Sophia Stone.

“When we began handcrafting our blends, we had one simple mission – to share our passion and love for the age-old traditions and healing qualities of Caribbean herbs,” Sophia recalls. “We visited farmers, herbalists and tea lovers from across the region to find out what makes the perfect cup of natural tea. We were determined to create much more than tea with health benefits.”

Stacy adds: “The secret is in the process. The tea leaves are slow dried to maximise nutrient content. Each blend offers a delicate balance formulated to create a memorable and unique experience in every cup.”

Authentic and good for you

Shavuot International is a family-owned Caribbean company which has also tapped into the ever-increasing consumer appetite for all things natural.

Shavuot’s products include exotic tea blends, natural skin and hair treatments, breadfruit flour and powdered spices.

The Jamaican company’s teas rely on natural ingredients of the highest quality, handpicked and manufactured to preserve the rich nutrients in each blend.

Its loose tea is made from local leaves and seeds of the moringa plant, turmeric, cinnamon, cerasee, ginger and peppermint.

Shavuot, which means harvesting goodness, prides itself on using ethically and organically sourced ingredients produced through sustainable community development partnerships and with the support of local farmers.

The company currently exports its products to over 13 countries including the US, UK, Australia, Canada and around the Caribbean.

For more information visit Caribbean Cure and Shavuot International.

This article was originally published on FoodMatters.com

If there is one thing Jacqueline Cort-Thomas has learnt from her COVID-19 experience, it is that business people need to diversify.  The pandemic was certainly a wake-up call for the owner of the Villas at Sunset Lane, a 10-room boutique hotel located on the idyllic island of Antigua. 

Ms. Cort-Thomas, who was a beneficiary of the Caribbean Export Development Agency’s WE-Xport programme, an initiative which provides technical support to regional female-owned businesses, had leveraged the support of the programme to re-build the accommodation’s brand to attract group travelers and offer an alluring calendar of events. 

Through the WE-Xport programme, Ms. Cort-Thomas accessed business coaching and technical assistance. After delving into her business operations she sought to re-structure finance and subsequently secured a lower commercial interest rate on her company’s outstanding loan.  After hounding the bank for a good four years, the bank finally acquiesced on January 2020 to a 7.5 % rate from 9 5 %. This was a huge game changer for the business’ bottom line, she said.

 Ms. Cort-Thomas also successfully rebranded the villa’s identity, launched an engaging website and transformed the property into a hot event location, with bookings for Jazz, Just Desserts Pop-Up, culinary re-treats, a film festival and tea parties, amongst others. 

As the benefits of the WE-Xport programme were coming to fruition, they quickly came to an abrupt halt when the novel coronavirus escalated globally. The travel and tourism industries were hit hard as countries announced plans to close their borders and governments issued calls for their citizens to return home. 

 We began to feel the effects of COVID-19 around March 23 when there was a possibility of Antigua & Barbuda closing their borders.  Guests who were already in the hotel hurriedly changed their flights to get home and all the bookings down to August were cancelled,” she recalled. 

The islands borders were officially closed on March 28 and a lockdown was quickly implemented. The hotelier was forced to lay off staff.  

It totally brought a halt to accommodation, the core business of Villas at Sunset Lane. It affected our entire calendar of events as all our special events which were planned and developed, some with sponsors in place, had to be cancelled.  Everything came crashing down, leaving the company with zero cashflow. It became evident that all my eggs were in one basket which had sprung a gaping hole. It taught me that I needed to diversify my product offerings,” she revealed

With downtime on her hands, Jacqueline drew on her culinary skills and training to offer a Home Cooking and Delivery Service. Although it gained traction initially, it wasn’t sustainable as momentum slowed down.

There was a demand from some quarters for precooked meals. Villas at Sunset Lane attempted to benefit from the demand but as the curfew started to relax, we found our new customers began to return to their familiar watering holes.  It was not worth the effort to continue the food service,” she explained.

Fortunately for Jacqueline, she and four other persons had previously invested in a business called TCG (Antigua) Ltd, which manufactures need-based” products such as citronella candles and insect repellent.

 She disclosed: Even though the hotels were all closed creating zero demand for Villas at Sunset Lane, households still needed these products so sales continued but on a reduced level.  The factory is now looking at producing hand sanitizers another need-based product for sale locally with the aim to expand regionally.”

 Ms. Cort-Thomas explained that TCG (Antigua) Ltd had the potential to scale up but it was in need of technical assistance. The predominantly female-owned company is hoping to benefit from the Caribbean Export Development Agency’s WE-Xport Programme, which is also designed to help regional business women start or increase exports of their products and services.

 So far, TCG (Antigua) Ltd. had begun the process of seeking authorization to enter several markets including Grenada, Guyana, St. Vincent and the Grenadines as well as Trinidad and Tobago.  There are plans to re-introduce the product line in St. Kitts and Nevis.

I view this move as part of me pivoting into a more sustainable business opportunity since in my opinion accommodation will struggle for the next two to three years to get back on a profitable footing,” she expressed.

 Ms. Cort-Thomas intends to create a symbiotic relationship between her two businesses, possibly bringing the industries of tourism and manufacturing a bit closer.

Villas at Sunset Lane is in the process of developing an e-commerce store which will sell key products made in the Caribbean. TCG (Antigua) Ltd is planning on improving its current line of fragrance candles with a focus on satisfying the Spa & Wellness market.  The fragrance candles will be part of gift packages sold via the online store,” she said.

Now that the country has reopened its borders to tourists, Jacqueline shared that the Villas at Sunset Lane received permission from the Antigua Tourism Board to operate again.   The board is responsible for examining hotels on the island to ensure they are compliance with COVID-19 protocols.  And although, overseas visitors haven’t returned to the accommodation as yet, Jacqueline indicated there was increased interest in staycations from locals.          

Nonetheless, despite the pandemic being emotionally and financially burdensome for Ms. Cort-Thomas, the businesswoman strongly believes that for her, COVID-19 was an important teaching moment.

When Indira Weech returned home to the Bahamas after living in Europe, she started a movement.  Determined to offer tourists an authentic Bahamian experience, Indira decided to forego traditional souvenirs, opting for soap, which she dubbed the useful souvenir. 

Her handcrafted, skin-loving bars, formulated with indigenous botanicals and Caribbean scents, provide the perfect way for visitors to the Bahamas to take home a little piece of paradise.  And her focus on using natural ingredients and sustainable packaging has been at the forefront of her eco-coconscious living in the Bahamas, inspiring others to be more mindful of how much they throw away.

From just soaps in 2004, bahamaSpa™ has expanded to a full body and hair care range, including body scrubs, butters, creams, lotions, massage oils and shampoo bars. And at the root of the company’s success, is Indira’s passion.  As she tells it, she’s obsessed with formulating products that are good for both the user and the environment.

If you are going to be successful as an entrepreneur, it can’t just be about money, she said. The days and nights will be long, so you’ll need to find something you’re passionate about, and motivated to keep doing in spite of the failures you will encounter.

In addition to loving what you do, Indira implores aspiring entrepreneurs to train continuously.  Knowledge is key to remaining relevant, improving your product or service and perfecting your brand, she said.

Looking back on her own failures, Weech shared that there have been many, including the closing of her business and starting again from scratch. But she believes when entrepreneurs share their story, they should willingly share both the highs and the lows, so that those contemplating the journey have a true sense of what it can be like.

Looking ahead, future plans for bahamaSpa

It’s been 11 years since Indira started building the bahamaSpa brand, and many of them have been spent learning about product formulation and about the beneficial properties of plants and herbs.  The focus on, and investment in continuous education has been worth it.  Her palm, phthalate and paraben free products are receiving rave reviews, and have found their way into luxury spas across the Bahamas.

The demand for this healthier, environmentally friendly skin care option has been so high, that keeping up supply has been challenging.  And, because many of the tourists who try Weech’s souvenirs want more than a one-off experience, her focus is now on getting export ready.

bahamaSpa is one of 20 women-owned Caribbean businesses making up the first cohort of participants in the Women Empowered through Export (WE-Xport) programme, which is designed to support Caribbean women in business to start exporting, or increase the exports of their products and services. 

Inspired by the sights, sounds and smells of Paris while exploring the city as a child, Weech knew then she wanted to be a creator.  She wanted to produce something beautiful and artistic that brought pleasure to its users, and she wanted it to be on display in one of the luxurious Parisian storefronts she peered into and fell in love with.  bahamaSpa, with support from the WE-Xport programme, is at the beginning of the realization of that dream, and Indira is confident, that she will one day walk the streets of Paris, and see her products looking back at her from the other side of the glass.

Visit the We-Xport booth at Bmex in June 2019 to see the bahamaSpa range of products.